"The Forgotten War" Is Not

Thank you for the article "The Forgotten War" (spring '03 Colby ). It was a blessing to a sad heart! I served in frontline hospitals in the Korean War, and after over 50 years I still see the faces of wounded and dying men looking up at me and asking, "Why? Why doesn't America care? Why have we been forgotten? Why wasn't war declared? Why are we fighting under two flags?"

Wounded and dying men never lie, and if I were to tell just half of what they told me few would ever believe it. Why have we not learned the truths of this terrible war that led to Vietnam, Kosovo and Iraq? I wonder if their fears of dying in vain have come true?

Dr. Paul Lycette '52

Jackson, Miss.

I would like to correct one small aspect of your otherwise very well written and well-timed article, "The Forgotten War" (spring '03 Colby).

I would like to point out that World War I was "the war to end all wars" (usually ascribed to President Woodrow Wilson, but also referred to earlier in a short pamphlet written by H. G. Wells in 1917), not World War II as was indicated in the article in the middle of page 18.

Thanks again for a fine article.

Daniel C. Kasperski, Ph.D., P'05

Captain, USNR (Retired)

Naperville, Ill.

Regarding "The Forgotten War" (spring '03 Colby), the war began the summer after I graduated. I was in the inactive reserves but a lieutenant failed to show to re-up me; I was enrolled at Andover Newton Seminary, and all the time there felt guilty. As a WWII combat vet I had an idea what men were going through.

I guess my guilt only lifted when a few years ago I read James Brady's The Coldest War, the story of his year in Korea. When he left, he said, "It wasn't my war anymore; it belonged to other men . . . I hadn't done badly . . . " I wrote him my appreciation.

Your article was a penetrating recovery of that strange and difficult time. I had not known (or had forgotten) about the Colby ROTC of the time. Thank you for bringing back Korea. It is, indeed, a forgotten war. But the stirring memorial in Washington, D.C., especially after a snow storm, and articles like yours will help ensure we never do forget it.

Win Clark '50

Plymouth, Mass.

I read with interest the article in the spring '03 Colby, "The Forgotten War." I now understand why it is the forgotten war. The author forgot to include the Class of 1952! A quick perusal of the 50-year class book for 1952 would have disclosed some interesting facts. It might also have been nice if several members of the class had been interviewed.

For example, did you know that Professor Richard Jaquith was called to active duty in the Navy just before classes started in the fall of 1950? Or that the class president, Bruce MacPherson, left college at the end of his seventh semester to go on active duty with the Navy? That Bud Baldwin spent the summer between his junior and senior year at platoon leader's school with the Marines? There was also a course in meteorology and climatology taught by a member of the Air Force ROTC (I can actually still read a weather map).

Also I remember taking what was referred to as "The Draft Exam." It was like the SAT but it was used to determine if you could continue or get a College deferment.

Since the Korean war started in the summer between my sophomore and junior years, and was still in full force when we graduated, many classmates were drafted or enlisted immediately on graduation and ended up in Korea before the end of the war. Other classmates who dropped out of school were actually serving in Korea before we graduated.

I am sure there are many stories that members of the Class of 1952 could tell. I am sorry that they were forgotten.

David S. Crocket III '52

Sp3, US 5131204, 7th Cavalry Rgt.

Easton, Pa.

Who Painted the Arey Murals?

First, I want to congratulate you on a fine choice of article for the spring 2003 Colby. "Colby, As They See It" was such a delightful way of sharing the College with the alumni.

Second, I would like to call attention to the 50th anniversary of the creation of a set of murals in the Arey Science Building lecture hall that depict the geological eras of the Earth. When I was a junior, our studio art class took on this monumental subject as a project under the capable instruction of Professor Carpenter. Regarding the student artists, I am sure that Beryl Baldwin '53 painted at least one of the murals. I did one, and of course I had to select perhaps the most difficult subject: creation, or the birth of Earth! It would be great if the other student artists could be found via this magazine as a communication link. Maybe we could even collectively contribute to some kind of identifying plaque for the murals because the murals surround the top section of the lecture hall with no explanation about them. Fellow studio art classmates can reach me at juniperhill@attbi or 12 Tenney Hill Rd., Kittery Point, ME 02905. Please let me know which mural(s) was (were) yours and how I can reach you.

Judith (Judy) Jenkins Totman '54

Kittery Point, Maine

The Tragedy of Eating Disorders

We want to thank Colby for the article about eating disorders ("Impossible Image," fall 2001). Our friend Kim Konieczny '83 died of complications from Anorexia Nervosa in March 1998. The tragedy of this disease--which is so difficult to understand--is exemplified in the death of this beautiful, smart, fun-loving, athletic person who had so much to live for. Those of you who knew Kim through Colby know what a tragedy it was to lose her.

Those of us who knew Kim, and who felt so helpless as Kim's battle with this disease came to an end, decided to do something in her memory to help others afflicted with eating disorders. To that end, several years ago we held a golf tournament involving Kim's family and friends to raise some money ($450) for the Northern New England Eating Disorders Program at Mercy Hospital in Portland. Thus was born the K2 Invitational Golf Tournament.

Since 1998, the event has grown each year and raised over $30,000 for the program, which offers the only comprehensive, inpatient and day-treatment services for eating disorders in Maine. Staffed by experienced nurses, therapists, nutritionists and physicians, the Eating Disorders Program recognizes that individuals and their families need empathetic support, education and structured care to recover.

The 6th Annual K2 Invitational Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, September 14, at the Bath (Maine) Country Club. We would like to extend an invitation to join us for the event this year. Through your participation we may be able to help prevent another tragedy like Kim's death from happening. I can be reached at bberanmuller@hotmail.com or 207-781-4604.

Barby Beran Muller '75

Falmouth, Maine

Phil McCarthy '78, Lori Davis '84

Bath, Maine

Cleveland Reaching Out, Too

I wanted to take the opportunity to respond with excitement

to the story ("Reaching Out," spring '03 Colby) regarding the state of Maine's initiative to use alumni of its schools to its economic benefit.

I am spearheading an initiative, in conjunction with other business and civic leaders, which seeks to do much the same thing with Cleveland alums. Dubbed "SayYES! to Cleveland," its mission is to connect Clevelanders in cities across America, building upon the emotional equity we all feel for the region, to bring economic opportunities home. We just returned from our inaugural trip to Silicon Valley and will hit Chicago this summer. New York and Boston or Washington, D.C., are slated for 2004.

Perhaps you can forward this link (www.neohio.craintech.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?articleId=2702) to the folks in Maine.

Laura Steinbrink '93

Cleveland, Ohio

Bither's Legacy for Colby Women

I was sad to note the recent death of Marge Bither. While she was not a Colby alumna, she left a legacy in women's athletics from which thousands of Colby women have benefited.

Long before Title IX was in existence, and even without substantial support from the Colby athletics administration, she led the fight for gender equity in sports at our college.

I was on the professional staff at Colby from 1969 to 1973 and among my duties was sports information director. I fondly recall her spirit and determination (and her sense of humor) as she led us from one varsity women's sport to 13.

She and her husband, Phil, a professor of German, were lively and giving members of the community and are fondly remembered by me.

Irv Faunce '67

Kennebunkport, Maine

Amen to "Real Diversity"

With regard to the letter from Gregg Jackson '90 ("The Way to 'Real Diversity," spring '03 Colby), it was surprising that you printed rather than trashed it. I can only say amen to the sentiments expressed therein!

Does this mean that the views which are espoused by the extreme liberals who now control policy at Colby and most other American colleges, especially in the Northeast, may be challenged with either moral or pragmatic objections without having those who question them being charged as purveyors of "hate speech?" Is there any chance that today's faculty members can move beyond 1960s radicalism to regain the values of classic liberalism: intellectual honesty, truly free speech, freedom of association, economic freedom and limited government?

My own college experience (Bethany College [W.Va.] 1947-8, Colby 1948-50, Boston University summer courses 1949 and 1950, B.A. Colby 1951, BU Graduate School 1960-62) may give me a different perspective, but in attending 50th class reunions at both Colby and Bethany in 2001, I found major contrasts in their policies, and perhaps more importantly, in their views of the world. At Bethany, there was modernization but the same appreciation of its long history and that of this country as well as scholarship which I consider at least on a par with Colby's.

In my opinion, many alumni and more students than you might expect agree with Mr. Jackson. Those responsible should well consider what they are doing to Colby and what effect it will have upon the future of the College.

John Lawton '51

The Weirs, N.H.